New Delhi: After surviving a devastating attack on him at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has no anger against the Left-wing extremists, who carried out the strike, and wanted them to join the mainstream but maintained this would not happen till there was public pressure on the extremists.

"In the case of extremists, I want them to join the mainstream. I have no anger against them. But this will never happen unless there is public pressure and this is the exercise I have to carry out," Naidu said in an interview to 'The Week' magazine.

Describing the survival in the blast as "rebirth and an extension of life," Naidu said as Chief Minister, he had to motivate people and wanted to be closer to them. "It is an occupational hazard. I am working for a good cause and these things should not bother me".

"My escape was miraculous and if at all there is a destiny then it saved me to do better work and complete certain tasks," he said, adding "I have no weaknesses and as a leader, I would like to lead an exemplary life".

Asked whether a National Security Guard (NSG) cover, being considered for him after the attack, would hinder his electioneering, the Chief Minister said, "that is why we are still discussing the issue. We can't take a hasty decision".

Asked whether the attack on him was due to intelligence failure, Naidu admitted that there was complacency. Intelligence gathering was just another job for the police and one had to protect oneself and the people from extremists with the existing machinery, he said, adding "train the cops, guide them, build their skills. We will do that".

"It is unfortunate that there are many people who seem to think that they need to work only for the top bosses. I am removing this feeling slowly by fixing accountability. I have never encouraged psycophancy. That is my strength," he said.

Emphasising the need to control corruption, he said he had brought in 'e-Seva' in order to reduce the interface between the government and the people. "I have announced in the Assembly that the property of those found to be corrupt will be confiscated. Some more drastic decisions will have to be made," he asserted.

Asked who would be his second-in-command, Naidu said that his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has "very capable people. The problem is, if you name somebody as successor they will finish the person in no time".

Stating that Ashok Gajapathi Raju is the seniormost legislator in the party, he said "leaders will emerge, automatically, when the time comes".

PTI